More formally known as The Great Bell, Big Ben sits atop The Clock Tower of The Houses Of Parliament, sounding out the hours over London.

The tower itself is a visual shorthand for London and the Big Ben first rang out a loud E on 31st May, 1859.

See more pictures here picked by pocksucket 6 months ago

The Guardian is prevented from identifying the MP who has asked the question, what the question is, which minister might answer it, or where the question is to be found. The Guardian is also forbidden from telling its readers why the paper is prevented – for the first time in memory – from reporting parliament." picked by Bornbad 1 month ago

A copy of George Orwell's prophetic novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' to every Member of Parliament. The books will be inscribed with the words, 'This book was a warning, not a blueprint'. picked by 2manyusernames 1 year ago

Victorian MP Jason Wood was supposed to be talking about genetically modified organisms when he ran into trouble.

And just in case anyone missed him talking about "genetically modified orgasms" the first time, he repeated it. picked by AutumnLotus 1 year ago

European Union emits 20,268 extra tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year by holding parliamentary sessions in France and Belgium. picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

Protesters climbed onto the roof of the houses of parliament in order to protest the expansion of Heathrow airport. picked by thenegativeone 2 years ago

When the Swedish Pirate Party was founded in early 2006, the majority of the mainstream press were skeptical, with some simply laughing it away. Today is a different story. The Pirate Party took 7.1 percent of the votes - more so than many established "mainstream" parties. picked by 2manyusernames 6 months ago

Rival MPs exchanged punches, climbed on each other's shoulders and jostled violently for position around the speaker's dais today, as Taiwan's Legislature dissolved into chaos over an electoral reform bill. picked by AutumnLotus 3 years ago

Mr Griffin denied the party was racist, telling the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme: "There's a huge amount of racism in this country, overwhelmingly it is directed towards the indigenous British majority, which is one reason we've done so well in these elections." picked by tvirus 6 months ago

The parliament of Poland will vote on a resolution in early 2007 to name Jesus Christ as the honorary king of Poland.

(How many Poles does it take to pass a resolution? 231 according to the article.) picked by Wingnut 3 years ago

The school confiscated all of the invitation cards because of discrimination … which led the father to complain to the Swedish parliament because his "child’s rights has been violated. picked by doggylives 1 year ago

MPs blasted with fire extinguishers after trying to break into Parliament with hoses and sledgehammers. picked by AutumnLotus 11 months ago

Another funk favorite from the 70's with the craziest covers you've ever seen. Make my funk the P-Funk!!!!! picked by nesbyniccolo 2 years ago

Clowns from across the world met in Germany Friday to pitch laughter as a way to survive the economic crisis. picked by Bornbad 9 months ago

Tamil 'Hunger striker' Parameswaran Subramaniyan, sitting outside the Houses of Parliament, secretly ate McDonald's burgers picked by ruthstark 2 months ago

Well, at least that is the claim by Hamas Member of Parliament Ahmad Abu Halabiya who explains that the Jews are using artificial earthquakes to destroy the Al Aqsa Mosque. picked by 2manyusernames 2 years ago

Racist Nick Griffin was attacked by an angry crowd bearing eggs outside Parliament today as he attempted to deliver a press conference.

Griffin is the leader of the BNP, a party built on racial intolerance who recently gained 2 seats in Europe. picked by pocksucket 6 months ago

1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament
3. It is illegal for a woman to be topless in Liverpool except as a clerk in a tropical fish store picked by Proverb 2 years ago

Sweden became the seventh country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide after a six-hour debate on Wednesday among parliament members. picked by funkfrost 8 months ago

AN Israeli politician has blamed a spate of recent earthquakes in the Middle East on gays. Shlomo Benizri of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish Shas Party said the only way to prevent the earthquakes was for parliament to stop liberalising laws concerning homosexuals. picked by AutumnLotus 2 years ago